May 2018

05/31/2018

Welcome to Angel Falls, a town so delightful even enemies can't help falling in love! Angel Falls is the last place Sara Langdon wants to be. Her hometown may be charming, but it's also filled with memories of her "wedding-that-never-was." Yet Sara's grandmother needs her, and joining her dad at his medical practice gives Sara time to figure out what she wants for her future. But when her first patient turns out to be Colton Walker, the man who sabotaged her wedding, Sara starts to wonder if she'll ever be able to escape her past. As police chief, Colton Walker is devoted to his small town, and he's equally determined to avoid its newest resident. He and Sara have always gotten along like oil and water, and since the bachelor party incident, he's her Enemy #1. But after sharing an unexpected--and unexpectedly hot--kiss, Colton starts to wonder if the woman he's always fighting with is the one he should be fighting for.Mass Market Paperback, 352 pagesPublished: May 29th 2018 by ForeverSource: Publisher

Four stars: A sweet second chance romance with delightful characters.

Sara is hesitant about returning home to Angel Falls. She is happy to be home to help with her grandmother who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but she isn’t thrilled to be returning to the place where she was left jilted by her fiancé two days before their wedding. Then to make matters worse, she keeps running into Colton Walker, the police chief, who teased her in high school. As Sara settles in, she begins to see that maybe Colton isn’t who she thought he was, but why should she care? Except there was that one hot kiss. Will Sara find a place to put down her roots?

What I Liked:

Then There Was You is a different kind of second chance romance because there really wasn’t much of a first romance. I was swept up in the romance, and I adored the characters and the setting. This book is oozing with small town charm and it is cute and cozy, just right for summer reading or whenever you want a pick me up.

I enjoyed the characters. Sara is a fun main character. She is now a successful doctor returning home, but she carries a lot of insecurity. Deep down inside she is still that nerdy teenage girl with glasses. Her confidence falters because the one man she gave her heart to betrayed her horribly. I liked seeing Sara grow and find her way as she established herself in her father’s medical practice and amongst the town. It is a slow journey, but it was well worth the time. Then there is Colton. Colton had a rough childhood, and he wasn’t always the nicest guy in high school. He has gone above and beyond to make up for his past, especially when it comes to the citizens of Angel Falls. Colton is kind, considerate and he looks after everyone. I especially loved getting in his head to see how he really felt about Sara. I also enjoyed many of the secondary characters in Sara’s family like her stepmother, Rachel, her sister, Gaby, and her adorable Nonna. These characters are fun and genuine and they make you feel right at home.

The romance is one of stops and starts, going all the way back to high school. It is antagonistic at first as Sara believes that she doesn’t like Colton. It takes a long time to take root and even longer to blossom. When it finally reaches its full potential it is so sweet, well worth the wait. I liked that it started out prickly, then moved into a shaky friendship before it took hold.

I appreciated the focus on family. Both Sara and Colton are deeply devoted to their families. I loved how both of them looked out for their family members and sacrificed for them. There are some wonderful family moments in this one.

I have to admit, I didn’t like Tagg at all, especially the more I learned about him. I was pleasantly surprised at the end by his nice gesture.

The ending is lovely. It ends in a good happy place that will leave you smiling.

And The Not So Much:

I am hoping that there is going to be another book or two with these characters. I was left wanting to see if Rafe, Sara’s brother, would take that step and ask out Sara’s friend. I also wanted to see Gaby find herself a good man.

I was curious to know more about Sara’s mom who passed away when Sara was a teen. I wanted to know more about what she was like, and how the girls coped with her passing.

Nonna is adorable. I would love more of her character just because she is so darn cute.

Then There Was You is a charming romance with fun, likable characters, a cozy setting, strong familial bonds and a cute second chance romance. This was an easy read, perfect for when you want a nice, light romance without drama and angst.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

05/30/2018

With her sassy humor and sexy cowboys, USA Today bestseller Carolyn Brown launches her new Longhorn Canyon series. One city girl, one die-hard rancher, and eight mischievous kids. What could go wrong? Every summer Cade Maguire looks forward to opening his Longhorn Canyon Ranch to underprivileged city kids. But this year, he's having no luck finding a counselor for the children-until Retta Palmer walks through his door.

Flat broke after selling everything she owns to pay her father's medical bills, Retta is thrilled to hear of an opening for a counselor position. She's not as thrilled about the ranching part, or the sexy cowboy with beautiful blue eyes who's her new boss.

After being left at the altar two years before by his fiancée, Cade isn't sure he can take another heartbreak. And Retta isn't even sure she wants to stay. But the sparks between them are absolutely undeniable. And with a couple of lovable kids and two elderly folks playing matchmaker, Cade and Retta may find that the best way to heal is with each other.Paperback, 336 pagesPublished: May 29th 2018 by ForeverSource: Publisher

Four stars: A sweet, sassy and heartwarming tale about new friendships and mending hearts.

Retta is hoping to get a summer job working the Longhorn Ranch, mentoring preteen girls who come from troubled backgrounds. She needs the short term job for the money.Retta also needs a place to stay until she can move back to Dallas and return to her banking job that she left when she had to care for her dying father. She is delighted when Cade, a cowboy with striking eyes and a sassy behind gives her the job. What follows is a whirlwind summer that proves to be heart healing for everyone involved. Will Retta be able to leave the ranch?

What I Liked:

What better way to kick off summer than with another heartwarming book from Carolyn Brown? I loved that this one was all about healing broken hearts and new beginnings. Yes, there is a whirlwind romance, but it is so much more than that. This book packs a lot of heart.

I loved the kids. The Longhorn Ranch mentors eight kids every summer. These are kids that come from tough circumstances. Many are in foster care or single parent homes. At the beginning, some of the kids are feisty and argumentative, but as the summer explodes with all the hustle and bustle of the ranch, the rag tag group forms a family. It was a delightful experience to watch all of the characters learn to love and support one another, and it was a joy to see them evolve. I loved each and every one of them.

I couldn’t get enough of the adorable animals. Levi, one of the ranch cowboys, is known for adopting strays. The ranch has an adorable ranch dog, a cat, a bunny, a turtle with a cracked shell, and a small donkey with a weak leg. The animals were charming.

Benji was one of my favorite characters. He is a shy boy with a touch of autism. He doesn’t do well in social situations, but he is all heart. He is a fountain of knowledge, some of his facts made me giggle. He wiggled his way into my heart.

Mavis and Skip are amazing. They are a nearly retired couple who spend their summers helping mentor children. They both have huge hearts, and I loved the way the stepped up to help one of the kids.

The romance takes a bit of a back seat to the rest of the story, which was fine by me. I liked that this was a romance about healing, and that it was based on friendship and sizzling chemistry. I especially enjoying the banter and ribbing along the way. It was delightful.

The book ended with a few tears and smiles. It was sweet and satisfactory, the perfect book for summer reading.

And The Not So Much:

I can’t complain too much about this one. The only thing I can say is that the romance moves at whirlwind speed, so if you aren’t a fan of fast paced romances, you may not like this one.

I hope that in the next books, we get to follow up with the kids as they return to their homes.

Cowboy Bold is the perfect way to kick off the summer. This book has a big heart and it will make you smile. I loved that this was about growing, healing and finding family in unexpected places. Grab this one for when you want a light, sweet and happy read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

05/29/2018

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. If you are participating, feel free to leave the link to your post in the comments.

Here is this week’s hot off the press question:

Debut authors/ New to me authors. What books have you read lately by new authors that you want to read more from?

For me, there is something satisfying about discovering a new author and loving their work. Whether it be an author who has been around for awhile that I am just reading or a brand spanking new one. I love grabbing a book that turns out to be fantastic. It makes me want to read more from that author. Luckily, I have run across a couple of terrific new to me/ debut authors lately and I want to share them with you.

Alexandra Christo: This is a debut author who wrote To Kill a Kingdom. Ms. Christo delivers a rather dark and vicious spin on The Little Mermaid. I loved her vision, I especially enjoyed the cruel Mermaid Queen. I am eager for her next book.

Dhonielle Clayton: Ms. Clayton is a new to me author, she recently released her first solo project The Belles. This book was a fantastic read. It is a thrilling look at a world where beauty is prized above all else. This book delivers excellent world building, interesting characters and an unforgettable villain. I couldn’t put this one down!

Viola Shipman is a new to me author. I recently devoured her latest book: The Recipe Box. I loved this book. It is about familial roots and recipes. Plus it is jam packed full of scrumptious recipes. I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Shipman.

Chanel Cleeton another new to me author, wrote Next Year in Havana. This was a riveting book that tells the lives of two women. A granddaughter in present day returns to Cuba to return her beloved grandmother’s ashes home. This is a love story as well as the story of Cuba. Terrific read!

Jasmine Guillory, a debut author, wrote The Wedding Date, a fun flirty romance between two opposites. I loved the romance, the humor and the curvaceous main character, Alexa. This was a fun little romance. I am eager for her next outing.

Christina Lauren is a new to me writing duo. Last Fall, I read Autoboyography, the story of a gay, young man living in Provo, Utah, who falls in love with the bishop’s son. Then, I followed up with Roomies, a delightful romance between two people who get married for green card status. It was too cute. I will be reading very soon their latest: Love and Other Words.

Karen McManus: A debut author who knocked it out of the park with her first book: One of Us is Lying. A riveting tale about a group of teens who end up in detention, and one of them winds up dead. Secrets are exposed, lies and truths told leading up to a breathtaking finale.

I have been lucky to read some great new to me authors as well as a couple of excellent debut authors in the

05/28/2018

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution humanity has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and their message leads to the planet Gaia, a treasure trove waiting to be explored.For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an ancient alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study...as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Despite their opposing reasons for smuggling themselves onto the alien planet's surface, they're both desperate to uncover the riches hidden in the Undying temples. Beset by rival scavenger gangs, Jules and Mia form a fragile alliance...but both are keeping secrets that make trust nearly impossible. As they race to decode the ancient messages, Jules and Mia must navigate the traps and trials within the Undying temples and stay one step ahead of the scavvers on their heels. They came to Gaia certain that they had far more to fear from their fellow humans than the ancient beings whose mysteries they're trying to unravel. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more Jules and Mia start to feel like their presence in the temple is part of a grand design - one that could spell the end of the human race....Audible Audio, Unabridged, 13 pagesPublished January 9th 2018 by Listening LibrarySource: Publisher

Three stars: An entertaining archaeological adventure in space, but watch out for a brutal cliffhanger.

Mia is excited to be one of the first humans ever to set foot on Gaia, a distant planet that was once home to an intelligent species known as the Undying. Mia is in a race against time to loot some of the archaeological finds in order to pay her way back home and rescue her sister. She doesn’t expect to run into trouble right off the bat. Luckily, she bails herself out with the help of an Oxford grad named Jules. Mia and Jules find themselves as unexpected allies with differing goals. Mia wants to plunder the planet, while Jules wants to preserve and study. Jules and Mia encounter more trouble and soon find themselves racing to solve puzzles in order to save their skins. What were the Undying hiding and why?

What I Liked:

Unearthed is interesting and entertaining. It reads like an Indiana Jones adventure set in space. There are strange puzzles with booby traps, hidden messages and a huge treasure at the end.

I enjoyed exploring the world of Gaia and uncovering the secrets of the Undying. There were plenty of puzzles that needed to be solved and lots of suspense. I was constantly wondering who the Undying were and what happened to them. Then there was the conflicting messages, would the Undying technology bring salvation to Earth or apocalypse?

Mia and Jules, the main characters, are complete opposites. Mia is a street smart girl who is forced to loot and plunder to save herself and her sister. She may not have a full education but she is plenty smart. She manages to solve puzzles and save their skins a few times. Jules is Oxford educated and brilliant, but surprisingly he isn’t uptight or snobby. I also liked that he was athletic. Together, Mia and Jules make a great team, once they learn to trust each other.

The world building is well done. I liked being transported to a vacated planet. On this desolate planet, there are lots of secrets, clues and hints of a deceased society. It felt like the pyramids in Egypt but in space.

The ending is fast and chaotic and crazy. The final paragraph was a jaw dropper for sure. I wanted more.

And The Not So Much:

This one ends in a big dramatic cliffhanger that was so frustrating. Just when things exploded and got interesting the book abruptly stops with a statement that changed everything. ARGH! I hate cliffhangers. Despise them.

The romance didn’t work for me. Everything was in place, and I thought I was going to get a terrific antagonistic romance, but it never felt right. Yes, there was attraction and all that, but I just didn’t feel it. I especially didn’t like that it went back and forth, they liked each other and trusted one another, and then they didn’t. I also thought it moved a little fast.

The pacing was off. Parts of it plodded along, and I found myself struggling to read it. Finally, it picks up in the final portion and gets exciting, and then it explodes and I was completely into it, until the cliffhanger.

Unearthed is one of those books I am still not certain as to how I feel about it. Parts of it were thrilling and entertaining, while other portions were slow. The romance was off and I never thought it worked. Things finally pick up with a fast and furious climax and a stunning finish that ended with a big disappointing cliffhanger. The ended frustrated me. I am so done with cliffhangers!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

05/26/2018

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to those living in the U.S. It is a weekend to enjoy the kickoff of summer, and a time to reflect and remember those who have passed on and those who have served. Here is to summer.

We aren’t quite into the thick of summer yet, as my kids still have three weeks of school. I am getting a little teary thinking about them being done with another year of school. My little kiddos are growing up, next Fall, they will be in second and fourth grade. Where has the time gone? It has been a good year, though it started off a little rocky in the first grade with some problematic children. Luckily, things settled out and it ended up being a positive year for both. I am not sure I am ready for the chaos that summer brings, but whether I am or not, it will soon be here.

We have at least been enjoying some pleasant weather with lots of sunshine. It feels good, of course, the holiday weekend tends to be dicey when it comes to the weather. We may get some light showers on Saturday, but otherwise it hopefully should be nice. I am hoping to spend some time outside. We just got all of our decks cleaned and we are ready to rock!

Hopefully, you all had a good week, and you are ready for an even better weekend.

05/25/2018

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It's the traditional kick off of summer in the United States. That means plenty of backyard BBQs, road trips, camping trips, picnics and sunshine, that is if it is sunny where you are. Whatever the weather, grab a good book and enjoy your day off. Also don't forget to take a moment to remember loved ones who have passed on, and all of those who have served. Love you, Mom.

Here is the forecast for May 27th-June 2nd:

A little romance, some thrillers, and some paranormal. What's not to like? Grab a book, head outside and enjoy the weather.

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 67 L 50 Possible Showers Sunday: H 77 L 52 Mostly Sunny

Perhaps a few showers on Saturday morning, and then sun. Not too bad for a Memorial Day Weekend forecast, it tends to be rainy. Enjoy your weekend!

05/24/2018

Cora: Head of the Prom Committee (and basically every other club in school). Has been dating Perfect Boyfriend Jamie™ for approximately forever, and has NO IDEA how to break up with him....

Paisley: Sarcastic feminist who wants nothing to do with prom. Has somehow managed to nominate her anxiety-ridden best friend for prom king...

Henry: Quiet ballplayer who hates social situations. Invited to prom by the most popular girl in school. SEND HELP!

Otis: Charming, popular, and one half of one of the cutest couples in his class. Doesn't know how to tell his boyfriend that he's not quite ready for a post-prom hotel room experience...

Lizzie: A little bit shy, and a lot excited to finally get out of her comfort zone and go to prom. With a boy. Whose name she doesn't know.

Cameron: Loner with two jobs and zero friends. Is so done with high school and this whole town: the only thing he still wants to do is meet the mysterious girl who's been leaving him notes...

Jacinta: Unnamed Nerd Girl #3. Determined to become the star of her own life, starting with prom. Now if only she could find a date....

A Prom to Remember, the newest book from Sandy Hall (author of A Little Something Different) is a funny and cinematic look at the biggest dance of every high schooler's life.AudiobookPublished April 24th 2018 by Listening LibrarySource: Publisher

Four stars: A light, fluffy feel good read that shares all the ups and downs of prom from seven different perspectives.

It is almost prom season, and feelings are running high. For seven different seniors, the thought of prom brings about a whole slew of emotions. As the big dance nears, these seven individuals find themselves grappling with date issues, complex emotions and anxiety that the thought of prom brings up. Will prom be all they hope and want or will it be a disaster? Sit back and find out if this will indeed be a prom to remember.

What I Liked:

A Prom To Remember turned out to be a delightful and unexpected read. Do away with you preconceived notions of prom as this book takes seven unique voices and explores all the emotions that prom brings. I loved that the seven characters weren’t the popular kids that you would expect. Instead you get a variety of voices. So much fun. This was an adorable read.

Speaking of the seven characters, I loved getting to know them all. Even though seven characters was a tad difficult to navigate at first, once I got to know them, I enjoyed each and every perspective. There is: Cora who is beginning to think that her perfect boyfriend Jamie, whom she has been dating since seventh grade, might not be perfect for her, but how do you break up with the perfect guy? Paisley thinks prom is ridiculous and she wants nothing to do with it, until she accidentally nominates her best friend with social anxiety issues. Henry is Paisley’s best friend and he is horrified when he finds out he is nominated for prom king. Henry does not do social situations. It gets worse when the most popular girl in school asks me to prom. He needs help stat!Otis is cute, charming and openly gay. He has the best boyfriend and he is excited about prom until his boyfriend tells him he got a hotel room. Otis is terrified at the thought of what a hotel room entails, but how does he tell his boyfriend? Lizzie is shy. Somehow she finds herself going to prom with a mysterious boy she has been communicating anonymously with all year. Cameron is Lizzie’s anonymous friend. It has been a hard year for him, and he has become a loner. Laptop Girl’s notes have been the only bright spot. Finally there is is Jacinta, the quiet girl who feels like she has spent all of high school being a secondary extra character. She wants to shine, but how? I loved that there was such a variety. You had shy, quiet kids, some with anxieties and issues as well as some LBTGQ kids. Great cast!

I loved that this wasn’t all about prom. Instead it delves into all the issues the kids are facing as they prepare to take those first tentative steps into adulthood. Some are anxious, uptight, while others take what is coming. I so loved exploring the issues and the emotions that the characters felt.

This book made me giggle and laugh. There were some really funny scenes. I adored Henry with all of his social hang ups. He was too adorable. Then there was Otis with his smelly car. The scene when Otis discusses sex with his straight friend was priceless. Worth the price of admission.

The romance... There are many different types of relationships in this one. My favorite was the cute romance that took place between Mystery Boy and Laptop Girl. It was a You Got Mail type of relationship, which are always my favorite.

I loved that so many of the parents were active participants in the story, and they were all supportive. Big props for involved parenting!

The ending is perfect. It wraps the story as neatly as it can. I was content and happy with the way it all turned out. It was just right.

And The Not So Much:

I am not going to lie. Adjusting to seven different voices was tough, especially when listening to the audiobook. It is hard enough to keep track of seven characters in a print book, but listening made it harder. I did love each and every character, but it took awhile to settle in and learn their personalities. If you aren’t a fan of multiple points of view, you will struggle with this one.

The narrator, Em Eldridge, did a good job, but I thought that there should have bene two narrators, one to do the female characters and then one for the male voices. It would have been so much better to have a male doing the male characters.

One thing that bothered me was in the very beginning, there is this discussion on not doing the traditional prom queen and king voting, and I was led to believe this was going to be an important part of the story. It isn’t, the whole prom voting thing seemed like the same old same old, what happened to the merit thing?

My other little niggle with the book was Cora’s character. I was left wanting more development with her character. There were hints that she was struggling with her sexual identity, but it wasn’t thoroughly explored, I wish her view point was more developed.

A Prom To Remember was a charming read. I loved the characters, the emotions and the issues that were presented. This is not a book all about going to prom, instead it is a book that explores the issues, anxieties and situations that prom presents. The good, bad and ugly all on display. It was cute, real and so much fun. I really had fun with this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

05/23/2018

My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:

1. I’m in a coma.

2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore.

3. Sometimes I lie.

Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it's the truth?Paperback, 387 pagesPublished March 23rd 2017 by HQSource: Library

Four stars: A suspenseful psychological thriller that will stun you with its jaw dropping twists and turns.

Amber Reynolds wakes up in the hospital, unable to move or speak. She can’t even open her eyes, but she can hear everything that is going on around her. Amber has been in a coma, but she can’t remember what happened to her. She is certain it has something to do with her husband. Did he hurt her and why?

What I Liked:

If you want a psychological thriller that will shock you and keep you guessing until the bitter end, this is one to try. I guarantee that you will never be able to piece it all together. Be prepared for some jaw dropping surprises.

Amber Reynolds is an unreliable narrator. You want to trust her and like her, but how can you when she is uncertain of everything around her? The narrative follows Amber in the present day as she lies comatose but aware in the hospital. Then it drags you back in time to what happened right before the accident. Finally, there are some snippets from thirty years ago as get glimpses into her diary. Who is Amber and what happened to her? I dare you to try and guess. I love a good unreliable narrator and Amber is one of the best.

The suspense and the twists are brilliant. I loved the way the author delivered the story. It is like following a bread crumb trail of tantalizing clues, and just when you think you are getting close to solving the puzzle, the other shoe drops and everything you thought you knew twists and turns, and you must start anew. I love thrillers like this one, as I love to have to keep guessing. Even by the end, I was still uncertain.

I liked that one of the characters whom I thought was the villain was pegged wrong. It is always nice to be surprised in a pleasant way.

The ending is a shocker. I was left completely stunned and unsure how I felt. Then just when the dust settles, there is one final revelation that left me wondering. Will there be more to this twisted tale? I hope so!

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Stephanie Racine. I liked Ms. Racine’s voice work. I thought she did well with the characters.

And The Not So Much:

I was left stunned, and I wanted to understand the final sentences better. Is there going to be more? The door is left open. I wanted closure.

After the big twist, I had so many questions. I wish there had been more details on what happened in the past, especially with the parents. There was a lot left unsaid.

I wish that there had been more information on the relationship between the sisters, especially after the developments. I wanted a far better understanding of the relationship. I can’t say more as I would ruin it.

Be warned there is a disturbing rape scene.

Sometimes I Lie was one of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a long time. This one is packed full of suspense and some brilliant, jaw dropping twists that will leave you hungering for me. An absolutely riveting read that you won’t be able to put down. If you want a thriller that has shades of Gone Girl, try this one.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

05/22/2018

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. If you are participating, feel free to leave the link to your post in the comments.

Here is the stimulating topic of the week:

Are you more inclined/ less inclined to read books that are compared to other popular books or authors?

How often do you see a comparison on a book cover or synopsis trying to draw your attention to the book. You might see something like “ For fans of Hunger Games” or if you like this author and this author, this book is for you etc....

To be perfectly honest, this gimmick does not make me want to read a book. In fact, lots of times it is a turn off. I don’t want to read a book that is going to remind me of another popular book out there. I want something original and new. So if you are trying to sell me a book because you think it is like these other popular books, I am going to pass.Then there is the whole author comparison. Again, I am not a fan of this because I would hope that each author I read has a unique voice. I don’t want to read someone who reminds me of other authors I read. Give me originality.

I have also found that this ploy can backfire because there are times when I have read a book that is being compared, and I found that in no way the book or author is like the one they are being compared to which is why some readers picked up the book to begin with.

I know this is a popular trick to get readers to try a book, but for me, it is a no go. I don’t pick up books because the publisher decided to slap a comparison on it. You can’t fool me!

What about you, will you specifically pick up a book because of a comparison on the front?

Next week’s question:

Debut authors/ New to me authors. What books have you read lately by new authors that you want to read more from?

05/21/2018

On-the-run ex-agent Peri Reed returns bigger and bolder than ever in this second highly-anticipated installment in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's new suspense trilogy, The Peri Reed Chronicles.Peri Reed’s job eats her mind, but for a special task agent in hiding, forgetting the past can be a blessing.Betrayed by the man she thought she loved and the agency who turned her into the very thing she fought against, Peri abandoned the wealth and privilege of Opti for anonymity riddled with memory gaps and self-doubt. But when a highly addictive drug promises to end her dependency on those who’d use her as a tool for their own success, she must choose to remain broken and vulnerable, or return to the above-the-law power and prestige she once left: strong but without will—for whoever holds her next fix, will hold her loyalty.Yet even now as then, a love based on lies of omission might still save her life.AudiobookPublished November 22nd 2016 by Simon Schuster AudioSource: Publisher

Three stars: A second volume that didn’t live up to expectations.

Peri is trying to start anew. She owns a coffee shop, where she tries to remain incognito. Being an ex-Opti agent on the run means that she must constantly look over her shoulder. It doesn’t help matters that she continues to see the illusion of her ex lover and partner, Jack. Peri’s world comes toppling down when her past catches up with her. Bill hunts her down and injects her with a drug that is supposed to help her remember her drafts, the problem is that it is addictive. Now Peri is on the run again, and a drug addict. Who can she trust?

What I Liked:

I have to admit that this series is clever and original. I like that I never know what is coming and the twists and turns are spectacular. Always a wild ride with Peri and company.

Peri is growing and evolving. In this book, she tries to remain independent. No more anchors or corrupt bosses who intend to wipe her memory and alter her future. Peri trusts no one except for Silas. I liked this stronger, fiercer Peri, and I am hopeful that she will continue to evolve into a kick butt character.

Silas is back in this book, and I was delighted that he not only played a larger role but that he is also a love interest. It seems that Peri and Silas have a romantic past, but Peri can’t remember it. I am eager for more of this story line.

Even though this one wasn’t as twisty as the first book, there were still some exciting developments.

I love the action and danger in this series. You never know who is going to flip and be the villain.

The ending was good. Most of the major story lines were done up, no big cliffhanger.

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by January LaVoy. Ms. LaVoy does a terrific job with the characters. Her male voices are believable. I would definitely recommend this on audio.

And The Not So Much:

I don’t know what it is about this series but I have a hard time getting into it. This book didn’t grab me like the first one, I lacked the thrilling memory wipes and twists that the first book had.

I wanted more of the romance. I want to understand more of what happened between Peri and Silas.

I didn’t find the story line as appealing in this one, and I was not a fan of the drug addicted Peri.

The Operator was a bit of a disappointment for me. I want this series to grab a hold of me and hold me captive, but alas, I find that struggle to immerse into the story. This one lacked the suspense and the exciting twists that the first book presented. Still I like the concept and I am enjoying the evolution of Peri, so I will give the next book a go.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.